Toneri turned slowly, sweat trailing down his temple as his blindfolded gaze fell upon the two figures still hovering above the remnants of the Divine Tree. Their pale forms radiated an eerie light, each of them adorned in intricate, regal robes inscribed with cryptic runic designs. These beings weren't just scouts or wanderers—they were Otsutsuki through and through, entities tied to the ancient cosmic power his clan feared most. Despite his composed exterior, Toneri couldn't suppress the unease pooling within him.
"They're strong," Toneri muttered to Daniel, his voice low and edged with tension.
One of the Otsutsuki figures shifted slightly forward, his pale eyes narrowing as he raised his hand, pointing directly at Daniel. "This one," the figure spoke in a measured tone, his gaze unyielding, "is not fully Otsutsuki."
Daniel tilted his head as a grin crept across his face. He crossed his arms, leaning slightly toward Toneri as if sharing a private joke. "Wow, you really don't hold back, huh? Not fully Otsutsuki?" He gestured broadly to himself before adding casually, "Well, duh. I mean, I'm black, and you all look like someone dipped you in flour. I'd stand out even if I was trying to blend in."
Toneri froze for a moment, torn between disbelief and frustration. "You're joking at a time like this?" he hissed under his breath.
The taller Otsutsuki didn't seem fazed by Daniel's flippant remark. He continued speaking, his gaze shifting between the pair. "And neither of you possess horns... That is most curious. Are you scouts from another faction? Or something else entirely?"
The second Otsutsuki remained silent for a moment longer before stepping forward. He was less imposing than his counterpart but held an aura of cold calculation. Unlike the first, whose palms bore swirling Rinnegan, this one had piercing Byakugan in both eyes, their radiance stark against his pale visage. "They resemble the description provided by Ninigi and Uzume—the scouts—but this one..." His hand gestured toward Daniel. "He was not mentioned in their reports."
Toneri stiffened at the mention of Ninigi and Uzume. The two scouts had been their quarry, and hearing their names confirmed that this desolate planet had already been marked by them—a world drained of life and chakra to prepare for the creation of a Divine Tree. He glanced at Daniel, who appeared utterly unbothered, his casual posture in sharp contrast to Toneri's growing unease.
Daniel stretched his arms overhead, his demeanor as relaxed as ever. "Not being mentioned? That's just rude. Makes me wonder if your scouts don't appreciate a good challenge. Anyway, let's cut to the chase—we're here to hunt Otsutsuki."
The Otsutsuki with the Byakugan narrowed his eyes further, his expression chillingly detached. "You dare to admit such insolence in our presence? Do you even grasp the magnitude of the power standing before you?"
Daniel turned to Toneri again, gesturing casually toward the Byakugan-wielder. "Hey, Toneri, that one over there's got Byakugan. What do you think—should we take his eyes after this? Could be a nice upgrade."
Toneri whipped his head toward Daniel, his voice rising in disbelief. "You can't just talk about dismantling enemies like you're shopping for spare parts!"
Daniel shrugged, his grin growing wider. "Why not? It's practical. Besides, I'm sure he'd gladly donate for a good cause."
The taller Otsutsuki with the Rinnegan palms exchanged a glance with his Byakugan counterpart, their expressions darkening. "Are they mocking us?" he asked in a voice laden with venom.
The Byakugan-wielder didn't blink, his aura flaring subtly. "It seems they are. Their ignorance blinds them to the gravity of their folly. Such insolence is beneath forgiveness."
Daniel tilted his head, his grin morphing into a smirk as he gestured casually toward the Otsutsuki. "Gods, huh? You keep throwing around words like that, but honestly, you're all talk. Maybe show us what you've got, and we'll decide if you're as divine as you claim."
Toneri tightened his fists, his voice strained as he addressed Daniel. "Antagonizing them further isn't helping. They'll attack us soon enough without your provocation."
Daniel didn't waver. His confidence was tangible, his tone edged with amusement. "Outmatched? Nah, you're giving them too much credit, Toneri. Relax—I've got this."
The Otsutsuki pair didn't wait for further exchanges. The taller one with Rinnegan palms raised his hand, summoning a cluster of shimmering black orbs that hovered menacingly in the air. His voice resonated with authority as he spoke. "If you are not scouts, then you are interlopers. Your existence defiles the sanctity of the clan. Prepare to be eradicated."
His Byakugan-wielding counterpart stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Toneri. "I will handle the blind one. His defiance reeks of impurity." Chakra threads laced with glimmering energy began forming around him, snapping and twisting like serpents. "Your end begins now."
The first attack came swiftly. Toneri dodged the lashing chakra threads, his blindfolded gaze focusing as he formed seals with rapid precision. A shield of glowing chakra erupted around him, clashing with the threads in a burst of energy.
"Stay back!" Toneri shouted, his voice steady despite the sweat forming on his brow. "His techniques are infused with sealing properties—this isn't normal Byakugan!"
Daniel, meanwhile, faced the taller Otsutsuki, whose black orbs began closing in on him with destructive force. Each orb pulsed with raw energy, warping the space around them as they hurtled toward Daniel. He smirked, sidestepping the first orb effortlessly before deflecting another with a casual swipe of his hand.
"Not bad," Daniel remarked, his tone teasing. "But if this is your best, I'm not impressed."
The Otsutsuki's pale expression remained neutral, but his movements grew sharper as he unleashed more orbs in rapid succession. The ground beneath them trembled, cracking under the pressure of the attacks.
Toneri countered the Byakugan-wielder's relentless assault, weaving chakra techniques with precision and grace. Despite the overwhelming nature of the threads, he maintained his composure, striking back with waves of energy that forced his opponent to retreat briefly.
"Daniel, I need more time!" Toneri called out, his voice strained but resolute.
Daniel grinned, his aura flaring brighter as he propelled himself into the air, dodging another wave of attacks. "Then move faster!"
The Otsutsuki pair pressed their advantage, their attacks growing fiercer as the battle intensified. Despite the odds, Daniel's movements remained fluid and explosive, each strike reverberating through the wasteland with devastating impact. Toneri, though struggling, held his ground, his techniques slowly unraveling the defenses of his opponent.
The ground cracked and splintered further, the battlefield transforming into chaos. As the fight reached its peak, the tension between the two sides grew unbearable, setting the stage for the confrontation to escalate further.
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